Understanding Obesity

When you're considering surgical or medical weight loss, it’s important to have a basic understanding of obesity.

Everyone has an ideal body weight based on their gender and height. A person is considered obese when they weigh more than their ideal body weight.

Body mass index is one tool we use to calculate overall body fat. This information helps us determine if you are a good candidate for bariatric surgery or how to design your personalized medical weight loss program. 


BMI Breakdown

  • Underweight -- Below 18.5
  • Normal weight -- Between 18.5-24.9
  • Overweight -- Between 25-29.9
  • Obese -- 30 or higher

What's Your BMI?

Use our calculator to determine your BMI.


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Common Causes of Obesity

Many factors contribute to obesity. It’s important to understand and address how those factors affect you before moving forward with a weight loss program.

  • Food consumption
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Genetics
  • Behavioral factors

Obesity-Related Health Problems

When you are overweight, you are at an increased risk for developing serious and often life-threatening health issues.

When you successfully lose weight, many of these health issues improve or go away completely.